The earliest original records of the Drakenstein congregation for the period 1691 to 1717 had been lost by the 1720s. As the result of a letter from Mme Simond, widow of the first dominee, an investigation was set on foot in 1726 and found some loose notes that had been made between 1694 and 1701 for his own use by the first voorleser, Paul Roux, as well as some notes made by the second minister of Drakenstein, Henricus Beck, for the period 1702 to 1707 and 1710 to 1713. Together with a few isolated records from 1711 and 1714 these notes are all that exists today for this period - a very incomplete and, in some cases erroneous, record.

I have transcribed these records and added my own translations since I have found a number of instances online where some of these records have been misinterpreted, particularly those starting Ilya ..., for instance those at 14 Dec 1695, 28 May 1696 and 21 Oct 1696.

The 6th of the same month in the year 1697. Salomon son of David Senecal and of Madelaine Dupuit. The witnesses were Salomon Gournay and Susanne Seugnet

Note: the following two dates are written ii Novembre (1697). If this is taken to be a 2, the day in question would be Saturday - if taken to be an 11, the day would be a Monday. Baptisms were usually done on a Sunday, as were those just before these entries and those just after these entries. I would normally transcribe this as 2 and have therefore done so, but bear in mind the discrepancy (Richard Ball - transcriber).

The 26th of the same month in the year 1698. Philippe, son of Louis Cordie and of Françoise Martinet. The witnesses were Monsieur Pierre Simond minister of the holy gospel and Mademoiselle Anne de Beaureau

The 3 May in the same year. Eva daughter of Pierre Lombart and of Maire Couteau. The witnessess were the son and the daughter of Monsieur Pierre Simond but Monsr. and Mademoiselle Simond made the responses on behalf of the children

The 24th July 1701. Philippe son of Christoffle Senaiman and of Margueite Savoye. The witnesses were Philippe Rodolf and Alleta Savoye but Claude Marais responded for the boy and the mother responded for her daughter

All these children who are inscribed above were baptized in the church of Drakestein by Monsr. Pierre Simond minister of the holy gospel, recorded by Paul Roux; as many as I was able - since the year 1694 up to the year 1701

The 21st September 1709. Marie daughter of François Dutoit and of Susanne Seugnet, the witnesses were Pierre Rousseau and Marie Janne Depret who presented her for holy baptism on Saturday 21st September in the year 1709. Baptized by Monieur d'Aillie minister of the holy gospel at the Cape and these children who are here written were baptized in the church of Drakestein

The 21st September in the year 1709. Abráam son of Josué Selliet and of Elizabet Couvret. They presented him for holy baptism by Monsr. Daillie minister of the holy gospel. The witnesses were Abráam Villiers the son and Ester Roux as godmother, at Drakestein

At Drakestein, the 22nd September 1709. Susanne daughter of Louis le Riche and of Susanne Fauche. Tbey prsented (her) for holy baptism on Sunday 22 of [this] month, Monsieur Daille also baptized this girl. The witnesses were François Dutoit and Susanne Seugnet as godmother

The 22nd of the same month, 1709. Jacque son of Charles Marais and of Anne de Ruel. They presented (him) at the holy sacrament of baptism, baptized by Monsieur Daillie minister of the holy gospel. The witnesses were Charle Marais and Anne Roux as godmother, at Drakestein the 22nd September

The 22 of the same month, 1709. Jean son of Jean Debuz and of Sara Jacob [as] presented at the holy sacrament of holy baptism. The witnesses Daniel Jacob and Marthe le Fevré as godmother. This child also received the holy sacrament from the hands of Monsieur Daillie a the church of Drakestein.

The 22nd of the same month, 1709. Pierre son of Jacque Teron and of Marie Janne de Pre, he was presented at holy baptism and Monsieur Daillie minister baptised (him) on Sunday 22 September in the church of Drakestein. The witnesses were Françpos Dutoit and Corneillia Villion as godmother

The 22nd of the same month, 1709. Wellem son of Piter Wellem van Heerden and of Makel Eskal. He was presented at holy baptism and Monsr. Daillie minister there also baptized the same day of 22nd September in the church of Drakestein. The witnesses were Béerne Beurger and Johanna wife of Geért Basson as godmother

The 22nd September 1709. Jean son of David Dubuisson and of Glaudiné Lombart. They presented their child at holy baptsim to be baptized on Sunday 22 September. The witnesses were Jáan Elberst et Sophia Hapel as godmother

She was born the 6 February in the year 1711. Elizabet daughter of Abráam Prevost and of Hanna Marcevene. She has been presented at holy baptism the 17 May. The witnesses were Piter [J]ance van Marcevene and Elizabet de Pre as godmother, baptized by Monsieur Beck minister of the holy gospel in the church of Drakestein

He was born the 15th April in the year 1711. Isac son of the widow of the late Charle Marais. He was presented at holy baptism the 17th May. The witnesses were Etienne Marais and Elizabeth Villiers and was baptized by Monsr. Beck minister of the holy gospel in the church of Drakestein,

The 5th March in the year 1713. Hanna daughter of L'aupretorijs and of Marie Rousseau was presented at holy baptism in the house of Abráam Villiers and Mosieur Camper minister of the holy gospel, being on his return journey from the East Indies, baptized this girl. The witnesses were Pierre Rousseau and Geertru Dutoit as godmother

The 5th March in the year 1713. Marie daughter of Koenráad Sckeper and of Marie Bota was presented at holy sacrament of baptism in the house of Abráam de Villiers and Monsr. Camper minister of the holy gospel also baptized this little girl and the witnesses were Jacobus Bota and Catherina Bota as godmother.

(end of this register)

Source: Cape Archives Verbatim Copies VC 644 Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk, Drakenstein, baptisms up to 1745.A photocopy made for the Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and a copy was donated to the South African Archives, a copy going to the Cape Town repository and to the Pretoria Repository (where it is part of the FC series).

Original registers are located in the NG Kerkargief, Noordwal-Wes, Stellenbosch as G3 3/1